Mechanism For Raising And Lowering A Dual Shade Covering A Window

ABSTRACT

A mechanism for operating a dual shade covering a window with a single handle. The mechanism provides a first glide attached by a pulley system to the first shade of the dual shade, and a second glide attached by a pulley system to the second shade of the dual shade. The first glide and the second glide are slibably disposed within a track assembly, and a master glide is disposed in the track assembly between the first glide and the second glide. The master glide engages the first glide to lower the first shade, and is detached from the first glide along the track assembly by a disengaging plate. The master glide engages the second glide to lower the second shade, and is detached from the second glide along the track assembly by a disengaging plate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to dual shade covering a window of avehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mechanismfor raising and lowering a dual shade covering a window in a vehiclesuch as an aircraft with a single handle. The present invention utilizesa track assembly with a master glide that engages and disengages glidesconnected to the dual shade to raise and lower the dual shade. The useof a single master glide to move multiple glides eliminates the need formore than one handle to operate the dual shade to lower either or boththe sheer shade and the dark shade.

2. Description of the Related Art

There exists in the art electronic and manual mechanisms to raise andlower single and dual shades covering windows in an aircraft or othervehicle. Electronic mechanisms to raise and lower such shades aregenerally undesirable because electronic systems are prone to electronicfailure, malfunction or breakdown. Most of the moving parts andelectronics operating the electronic mechanism are disposed between theinside panel of the aircraft or other vehicle and any one or moreintermediate or outer panels adjacent thereto. Thus, in the case ofelectronic breakdown or malfunction, the walls of the aircraft or othervehicle must be torn away to expose the mechanism for repair. Thus, itis desirable to have a manually operated mechanism that allows apassenger in proximity to a particular window of the aircraft to lowerthe shade or shades to a desired position.

There exists in the art manual mechanisms to raise and lower dual shadescovering windows in an aircraft or other vehicle. However, such manualmechanisms operate completely independent of one another. As a result,there is a first mechanism to raise and/or lower the sheer shade, and acompletely separate second mechanism to raise and lower the dark shade.Thus, two handles are exposed through the interior panel of the aircraftto operate the two different shades.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is different than other mechanisms for raising andlowering dual shades covering windows in vehicles. The present inventionuses a single master glide attached to a single handle to raise andlower the sheer shade and dark shade of a dual shade covering a window.Although the present invention will be described herein as operating adual shade within an aircraft, it should be understood that themechanism of the present invention could be used to with any dual shadecovering any window in any vehicle, building or home.

In one embodiment, the window of the aircraft has an inner panel whichcomprises the interior wall of the aircraft. Adjacent the inner panel isan inner lens. On the other side of the inner lens from the inner panelis an outer panel having at least one, and preferably more than onewindow opening. The window openings are disposed within a recess in theouter panel. Outer lenses shaped to fit within and tightly to the windowopenings are disposed within the window openings and sealed thereto.

The recess of the outer panel is substantially rectangular and isdefined by a sidewall having a top margin, a bottom margin substantiallyparallel to the top margin and two side margins disposed between the topand bottom margins, and substantially parallel to one another. Above thetop margin of the outer panel is a handle slot disposed substantiallyhorizontally across the outer panel a predefined distance. There is alsoa corresponding handle slot disposed substantially horizontally acrossthe inner panel. The handle slots of the outer and inner panels meet toform a passageway for the handle to slide laterally to manually operatethe mechanism of the present invention.

Below the handle slot of the inner panel is an opening. The opening ofthe inner panel can be of any size and shape, although it is preferablethat the opening be smaller than the recess of the outer panel so as tohide the margins thereof from sight by the passenger. The opening of theinner panel is covered by the inner lens. It should be understood thatthe inner panel, inner lens and outer panel are not completely flat, butrather are curved consistent with the curvature of a typical aircraftfuselage.

A dual shade is disposed within the recess of the outer panel andattached along the top margin thereof. The dual shade has a first shadewhich is usually the sheer shade, and a second shade adjacently abovethe sheer shade, which is usually the dark shade. The first shade has afirst rail disposed along its bottom edge, and a second rail is attachedto the top of the first shade and the bottom of the second shade,thereby adjoining the two shades into a single dual shade, and defininga boundary between the first shade and the second shade.

A track assembly is disposed on the outer surface of the outer panelbetween the handle slot and the top margin of the recess. The trackassembly has a first glide track running horizontally across the top ofthe track assembly, substantially parallel to the handle slot. A masterglide track is disposed adjacently below the first glide track and runshorizontally across the track assembly. The master glide track runssubstantially the same distance horizontally as the first glide track. Asecond glide track is disposed adjacently below the master glide trackand runs horizontally across the track assembly.

A first glide is disposed within the first glide track and slideslaterally therein. The first glide has two glide pulleys orientedhorizontally thereon and disposed slightly spaced from and opposite oneanother. The two glide pulleys face outward from the first glide, awayfrom the track assembly. A small peg is attached to a lower side of thefirst glide, and extends downward above the space between the firstglide track and the master glide track. A second glide is disposedwithin the second glide track below the master glide track and slideslaterally therein. The second glide has two glide pulleys orientedhorizontally thereon and disposed slightly spaced from and opposite oneanother. The two glide pulleys of the second glide face outward from thesecond glide in the same manner as the first and second glide pulleys ofthe first glide. A small peg is attached to an upper side of the secondglide, and extends upward above the space between the second glide trackand the master glide track.

A master glide is disposed within the master glide track and slideslaterally therein. The master glide has a plate attached thereto thatextends across the track assembly. Between the plate of the master glideand the track assembly is a first latch pivotally attached to the plateof the master glide and spring loaded to be biased outward away from theplate and toward the track assembly. The first latch is disposedsubstantially horizontally above the space between the first glide trackand the master glide track.

There is also a second latch pivotally attached to the plate of themaster glide and disposed between the plate and the track assembly. Thesecond latch is spring loaded to be biased outward away from the plateof the master glide and toward the track assembly. The second latch isdisposed alongside the first latch, substantially horizontally above thespace between the master glide track and the second glide track. Thesecond latch is oriented directly opposite the first latch on the plateof the master glide.

The master glide extends above the track assembly and receives a portionof the top edge thereof. Along the back side of the track assembly, themaster glide extends outward through the handle slots of the outer paneland inner panel, terminating in a handle. The handle is manuallyoperated by a passenger to slide the master glide along the trackassembly to raise and lower the dual shade. Disposed on the trackassembly, between the first glide track and the master glide track is afirst disengaging plate which disengages or releases the first glidefrom the master glide. It should be understood that the firstdisengaging plate is positioned at the appropriate location on the trackassembly to release the first glide from the master glide only when thefirst shade is in a completely lowered position.

A second disengaging plate is disposed on the track assembly between themaster glide and the second glide. The second disengaging platedisengages or releases the second glide from the master glide. It shouldbe understood that the second disengaging plate is positioned at theappropriate location on the track assembly to release the second glidefrom the master glide only when the second shade is in a completelyraised position.

The first glide is connected to a first pulley system via a first cord.The first pulley system includes the first and second pulleys of thefirst glide, and a plurality of track pulleys. It should be understoodthat any number or orientation of track pulleys can be employed to raisethe first shade and second shade, so long as the location of the trackpulleys does not interfere with the dual shade. Therefore, the trackpulleys should be located generally along the periphery of the dualshade.

In the preferred embodiment, the first pulley system has four trackpulleys located generally at the corners of the dual shade. The twoupper track pulleys are located above the top margin of the outer paneland substantially lateral to the first glide track and in horizontalalignment therewith. The upper track pulleys are slightly lateral to theedges of the dual shade. The lower track pulleys are located on thebottom margin of the recess, on the inner surface of the outer panel, atthe corners formed by the bottom margin and side margins of the recess.

The first cord has a first end attached to the outer surface of theouter panel, lateral to the track assembly. The first cord extendstherefrom around the first pulley of the first glide, around the firstupper track pulley and through the top margin into the recess. The firstcord extends downward to and around the lower pulleys disposed along thebottom margin, and back up on the other side of the dual shade into therecess. Therefrom, a portion of the first cord is then attached to aplate which is attached on the lateral edge of the first rail of thedual shade. The first cord then extends through the top margin, aroundthe second upper track pulley and around the second pulley of the firstglide. The second end of the first cord is attached to the outer surfaceof the outer panel, lateral to the track assembly on the opposite sidefrom the first end.

The second pulley system has four track pulleys in the same arrangementwith respect to one another as the first pulley system. However, theupper track glides are substantially lateral to the second glide track,and the track pulleys of the second track system are generally disposedslightly inside of the track pulleys of the first track system so as toprevent the operation of the first cord from interfering with theoperation of the second cord, and vice-versa.

The second cord has a first end attached to the outer surface of theouter panel, lateral to the track assembly. The second cord extendstherefrom around the first pulley of the second glide, around the firstupper track pulley of the second pulley system and through the topmargin into the recess. The second cord extends downward and around thelower pulleys of the second pulley system, which are disposed along thebottom margin. The second cord extends upward therefrom into the recess.A portion of the second cord is then attached to a plate which isattached on the lateral edge of the second rail of the dual shade, andextends therefrom through the top margin. The second cord then extendsaround the second upper track pulley of the second pulley system andaround the second pulley of the second glide. The second end of thesecond cord is attached to the outer surface of the outer panel, lateralto the track assembly on the opposite side from the first end.

In operation, when the dual shade is in a completely raised position,the master glide is engaged to the first glide on the lateral edge ofthe track assembly, and the second glide is resting in close proximityto the second disengaging plate of the track assembly, disengaged fromthe master glide. In this position, the handle protruding through theinner panel is located at one lateral edge of the handle slot. The firstlatch is engaged with the peg of the first glide to engage the masterglide to the first glide. To lower the first shade, a passenger slidesthe handle in a lowering direction within the handle slot, which slidesthe master glide and the first glide in a lowering direction across thetrack assembly. As the first rail of the first shade reaches a fullyclosed position within the recess, the first latch of the master glidesides across the first disengaging plate, releasing the first latch fromthe peg of the first glide. At substantially the same position, thesecond latch slides across the second disengaging plate and engages thesecond peg, thereby engaging the master glide with the second glide atapproximately the same position where the first glide is disengaged fromthe master glide.

If it is desired to lower the second shade, the passenger continues toslide the handle in a lowering direction to slide the master glide andthe second glide all the way to the opposite lateral end of the trackassembly. This lowers the second rail to a completely closed position.To raise the second shade, the handle is moved in the raising direction,which slides the master glide and the second glide to the seconddisengaging plate. Once the second shade is in a completely raisedposition, the second latch slides across the second disengaging plateand releases the peg of the second glide, while the first latchre-engages the peg of the first glide. To raise the first shade, thehandle continues in the raising direction, which slides the master glideand the re-engaged first glide back to a completely raised position.

It should be understood that the handle can be stopped anywhere alongthe handle slot where it is desired for a first or second shade to stopwithin the recess, such that either the first shade or second shade mayeither partially or fully cover the window. To allow such selectivestopping, a first tension cord and second tension cord are attached tothe dual shade to maintain tension on the dual shade at all times andprevent the shade from falling when the handle is at a rest position.The first tension cord is attached to the top margin along one side ofthe dual shade, and extends down and through the first rail, exiting thefirst rail on the opposite side of the first tension cord's entry.Thereafter, the first tension cord extends downward and engages twotension cord pulleys at the corners of the bottom margin of the recess.After engaging the second tension cord pulley, the first tension cordextends upward and back through the first rail, exiting the oppositeside of entry and extending upward to attach to the top margin on theopposite side of the dual shade from the first attachment of the firsttension cord. Between the two tension cord pulleys, the first tensioncord is attached to a tension assembly which allows the tension of thefirst tension cord to be adjusted as needed.

The second tension cord is attached to the top margin along one side ofthe dual shade, and slightly inside of the first tension cord. Thesecond tension cord extends down and through the second rail, exitingthe second rail on the opposite side of the second tension cord's entry.Thereafter, the second tension cord extends downward and engages twotension cord pulleys at the corners of the bottom margin of the recess,slightly inside the tension cord pulleys of the first tension cord.After engaging the second tension cord pulley, the second tension cordextends upward and back through the second rail, exiting the oppositeside of entry and extending upward to attach to the top margin on theopposite side of the dual shade from the first attachment of the secondtension cord, slightly inside of the first tension cord. Between the twotension cord pulleys, the second tension cord is attached to a tensionassembly which allows the tension of the second tension cord to beadjusted as needed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the mechanism of the present invention ina typical aircraft window installation;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a dual shade with the handle foroperating the dual shade disposed through the handle slot;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the dual shade showing the pulley systems andthe handle of the mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the track assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 of the trackassembly of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the master glide of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the master glide of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the track assembly of the present inventionshowing the master glide, first glide and second glide therein;

FIG. 8A is a partial perspective view of the track assembly of thepresent invention showing the disengaging plates thereon;

FIG. 9 is a side view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8 of the trackassembly with the first glide, second glide and master glide therein;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the present invention disposed within atypical aircraft window structure;

FIG. 11 is a front view of the present invention disposed within atypical aircraft window structure;

FIG. 11A is a front view of the present invention showing the dual shadeand the mechanism in a raised position;

FIG. 11B is a front view of the present invention showing the dual shadeand the mechanism with the first shade in a down position;

FIG. 11C is a front view of the present invention showing the dual shadeand the mechanism in a lowered position;

FIG. 12 is a front view of the tension mechanism of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 is a rear view of the latches and master glide; and

FIG. 14 is a side view of the latches of the master glide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 the mechanism of the present invention isdisclosed within a typical aircraft window structure 10. It should beunderstood to one of ordinary skill in the art that the presentinvention can be installed in any window structure to operate a dualshade to cover a window. Therefore, although described as beinginstalled in an aircraft window structure 10, the present invention isnot limited to installation in an aircraft, but rather could beinstalled in window structures of other vehicles, or even in buildingsor homes if so desired.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, an aircraft window structure 10 isdisclosed having an inner panel 12, an inner lens 14 adjacent the innerpanel 12, an outer panel 16 adjacent the inner lens 14 and outer lenses18. The present invention is a mechanism for manually operating a dualshade 20 within a window structure. In one embodiment, the presentinvention is a mechanism for manually operating dual shade 20 within anaircraft window structure 10. The mechanism is disposed within theaircraft window structure 10. The outer panel 16 of the aircraft windowstructure 10 comprises an inner surface 16 a and an outer surface 16 b.Disposed within the inner surface 16 a is a recess 26, which is definedby a top margin 28, bottom margin 30 and side margins 32 between the topmargin 28 and bottom margin 30. The recess 26 receives the dual shade 20therein, which is attached to the outer panel 16 adjacently below thetop margin 28. Dual shade 20 can be attached to outer panel 16 using anysuitable fastening device (not shown) such as a screw, threaded bolt,brad, or any other fastening device. Referring to FIG. 3 and FIGS. 11Athrough 11C, dual shade 20 is disposed within recess 26, leaving spacesbetween the lateral edges of dual shade 20 and side margins 32.

Referring to FIG. 11B, dual shade 20 comprises a first shade 20 a with afirst rail 34 disposed along the bottom thereof, and extending laterallyacross the bottom of the first shade 20 a. First shade 20 a is typicallya sheer shade. However, first shade 20 a can be any shade, whethersheer, dark, transparent, or any other shade known to one of ordinaryskill in the art. Adjacently above first shade 20 a is a second shade 20b. First shade 20 a and second shade 20 b are attached to one anothervia a second rail 36 disposed adjacently between first shade 20 a andsecond shade 20 b. Typically, second shade 20 b is a dark shade.However, like first shade 20 a, second shade 20 b can be any shade,whether sheer, dark, transparent, or any other shade known to one ofordinary skill in the art.

Returning to FIG. 1, inner panel 12 has an opening 38. The opening 38 issubstantially rectangular as shown, but can be any shape desired.Preferably, opening 38 is slightly smaller in size than inner lens 14and recess 26 so that the sides of inner panel 12 surrounding opening 38are sufficient to block top margin 28, bottom margin 30 and side margins32 from view by a passenger. Recess 26 has at least one window opening24 which serves as a portal to the ambient environment. Window openings24 are covered by outer lenses 18 disposed tightly within windowopenings 24 and sealed therein using any appropriate sealing mechanism(not shown) or substance (not shown) known to one of ordinary skill inthe art.

Above the top margin 28 is a handle slot 40 which is a narrow horizontalslot extending through and laterally across outer panel 16. Acorresponding handle slot 42 is disposed within inner panel 12, along atop portion thereof. Handle slot 42 is substantially the same size ashandle slot 40, and located at a corresponding portion of said innerpanel 12 to handle slot 40 of outer panel 16, such that handle slot 42aligns with handle slot 40 to form a channel for receiving a handle 44.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, 8, 8A, and 11 through 11C, the track assembly100 of the present invention is disclosed. The track assembly 100 isattached to the outer surface 16 b of outer panel 16, between top margin28 and handle slot 40. However, it is possible for handle slot 40 to belocated below track assembly 100. In such an embodiment, handle 44 wouldextend out from below track assembly 100 instead of above track assembly100, as shown. Track assembly 100 comprises a first glide track 102along the top of track assembly 100. First glide track 102 extendshorizontally a length sufficient such that a first glide 108 can slide apredefined distance to completely lower and raise first shade 20 a. Amaster glide track 104 is disposed adjacently below first glide track102 and extends horizontally at least as long as first glide track 102.

A second glide track 106 is disposed adjacently below master glide track104. Second glide track 106 extends horizontally a length sufficientsuch that a second glide 112 can slide a predefined distance tocompletely lower and raise second shade 20 b. As shown, second glidetrack 106 is shorter than master glide track 104 and first glide track102. However, second glide track 106 can extend to be at least as longas master glide track 104 and first glide track 102 if desired. A firstwall 103 protrudes from track assembly 100 and defines the lower wall offirst glide track 102 and the upper wall of master glide track 104.Likewise, a second wall 105 protrudes from track assembly 100 anddefines the lower wall of master glide track 104 and the upper wall ofsecond glide track 106.

First glide 108 is disposed within first glide track 102 and slideswithin first glide track 102. First glide 108 is connected to first rail34 of first shade 20 a to raise and lower first shade 20 a. A secondglide 112 is disposed within second glide track 106 and slides withinsecond glide track 106. Second glide 112 is connected to second rail 36to raise and lower second shade 20 b. Master glide 110 is disposedwithin master glide track 104 and slides therein to slide first glide108 and second glide 112. A plate 114 is attached to master glide 110and extends from the bottom of track assembly 100 to the top of trackassembly 100, across second glide track 106, master glide track 104 andfirst glide track 102. Referring to FIGS. 1, 6 and 10, plate 114 ofmaster glide 110 extends over the top edge of track assembly 100, anddownward along a portion of the back side of track assembly 100. Handle44 extends outward from plate 114 along the back side of track assembly100, and through handle slots 40 and 42.

Referring to FIGS. 6, 13 and 14, a first latch 116 and a second latch118 are pivotally attached to plate 114 of master glide 110. First latch116 and second latch 118 each have a pivotal axis 120 which attach firstlatch 116 and second latch 118, respectively, to plate 114. First latch116 is disposed on plate 114 at the appropriate position to slide alongfirst wall 103 when master glide 110 slides along master glide track104. Second latch 118 is disposed on plate 114 at the appropriateposition to slide along second wall 105 when master glide 110 slidesalong master glide track 104. First latch 116 and second latch 118 areoriented in opposite directions from one another on plate 114. Firstlatch 116 is spring-loaded by a spring (not shown) to be biased outward,away from plate 114 and toward first wall 103. Second latch 118 is alsospring-loaded by a spring (not shown) to be biased outward, away fromplate 114 and toward second wall 105.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 8A, first glide 108 has a peg 122 extendingfrom a bottom side thereof and into the space above first wall 103.Second glide 112 has a peg 124 extending from a top side thereof andinto the space above second wall 105. Referring to FIGS. 4, 8, and 8A,first wall 103 has a first disengaging plate 126 attached thereto. Firstdisengaging plate 126 is positioned on first wall 103 at a position torelease or disengage first glide 108 from master glide 110 when masterglide 110 and first glide 108 slide along track assembly 100 in ashade-lowering direction, referenced as direction arrow L, and firstshade 20 a is at a fully lowered position. Second wall 105 has a seconddisengaging plate 128 attached thereto. Second disengaging plate 128 ispositioned on second wall 105 at a position to release or disengagesecond glide 112 from master glide 110 when master glide 110 and secondglide 112 slide along track assembly 100 in a shade-raising direction,referenced as direction arrow R, and second shade 20 b is in a fullyraised position.

Referring to FIGS. 11A through 11C, first glide 108 is connected tofirst rail 34 of dual shade 20 by a first pulley system 200. Firstpulley system 200 has a first cord 202. The first end 204 of first cord202 is attached to outer surface 16 b of outer panel 16 lateral to trackassembly 100. First end 204 is attached to outer panel 16 in substantialalignment with the lower portion of first glide track 102. First cord202 extends therefrom around first glide pulley 108 a, which is attachedto first glide 108. First cord 202 extends from first glide pulley 108 ato an upper track pulley 208. Upper track pulleys 208 and 214 areattached to outer surface 16 b of outer panel 16, lateral to first glidetrack 102.

After rounding upper track pulley 208, first cord 202 extends downwardthrough top margin 28 and into recess 26 between dual shade 20 and sidemargin 32, and around lower track pulley 210. Lower track pulleys 210and 212 are attached to bottom margin 30, and aligned in the spacesbetween dual shade 20 and side margins 32. From lower track pulley 210,first cord 202 extends across bottom margin 30, and around lower trackpulley 212. Therefrom, first cord 202 extends upward, and a portion offirst cord 202 is attached plate 34 a, which is attached to the side offirst rail 34 thereby connecting first cord 202 to dual shade 20. Firstcord 202 then continues upward through top margin 28 and around upperpulley 214. First cord 202 extends from upper pulley 214 around secondglide pulley 108 b, which is attached to first glide 108. After roundingsecond glide pulley 108 b, first cord 202 extends to the opposite sideof track assembly 100 than first end 204, and terminates in a second end206, which is attached to outer surface 16 b of outer panel 16 lateralto track assembly 100. Second end 206 is attached to outer panel 16 insubstantial alignment with the lower portion of first glide track 102.

Second glide 112 is connected to second rail 36 of dual shade 20 by asecond pulley system 300. Upper pulleys 308 and 314, and lower pulleys310 and 312 are generally disposed lateral to dual shade 20, but closerthereto than upper pulleys 208 and 214 and lower pulleys 210 and 212,such that second cord 302 runs along pulleys 308, 310, 312 and 314inside of first cord 202, to prevent interference between first cord 202and second cord 302 during raising and/or lowering of the dual shade 20.First end 304 of second cord 302 is attached to outer surface 16 b ofouter panel 16 lateral to track assembly 100. First end 304 is attachedto outer panel 16 in substantial alignment with the upper portion ofsecond glide track 106. Second cord 302 extends therefrom around firstglide pulley 112 a, which is attached to second glide 112. Second cord302 extends from first glide pulley 112 a to and around an upper trackpulley 308. Upper track pulleys 308 and 314 are attached to outersurface 16 b of outer panel 16, lateral to second glide track 106.

After rounding upper track pulley 308, second cord 302 extends downwardthrough top margin 28 and into recess 26 between dual shade 20 and sidemargin 32, and around lower track pulley 310. Lower track pulleys 310and 312 are attached to bottom margin 30, and aligned in the spacesbetween dual shade 20 and side margins 32. From lower track pulley 310,second cord 302 extends across bottom margin 30, and around lower trackpulley 312. Therefrom, second cord 302 extends upward, and a portion ofsecond cord 302 is attached plate 36 a, which is attached to the side ofsecond rail 36. Second cord 302 then continues upward through top margin28 and around upper pulley 314. Second cord 302 extends from upperpulley 314 around second glide pulley 112 b, which is attached to secondglide 112. After rounding second glide pulley 112 b, second cord 302extends to the opposite side of track assembly 100 than first end 304,and terminates in a second end 306, which is attached to outer surface16 b of outer panel 16 lateral to track assembly 100. Second end 306 isattached to outer panel 16 in substantial alignment with the upperportion of second glide track 106.

FIG. 11A shows the position of the track assembly 100, first pulleysystem 200 and second pulley system 300 when dual shade 20 is in a fullyraised position. In FIG. 11A, master glide 110 is shown as disposedalong the right side of track assembly 100 in the fully raised position,with first cord 202 attached to plate 34 a of first rail 34 on the leftside of dual shade 20, and second cord 302 attached to plate 36 a ofsecond rail 36 on the left side of dual shade 20. However, it should beappreciated that track assembly 100 could be transposed such that secondglide track 106 is disposed on the right side of track assembly 100 withmaster glide 110 on the left side of track assembly 100 in a fullyraised position. In such an embodiment, first cord 202 would be attachedto plate 34 a on the right side of dual shade 20 and second cord 302would be attached to plate 36 a on the right side of dual shade 20.

Referring to FIGS. 11A, 13 and 14, in the fully raised position, firstlatch 116 of master glide 110 is engaged with first peg 122 of firstglide 108. First peg 122 is disposed within indentation 116 a of firstlatch 122. Indentation 116 a is defined by arm 116 c on one side, andbearing 116 b on the other side. As the handle 44 is manually operatedwithin handle slots 40 and 42 in shade-lowering direction L, first cord202 rotates about first glide pulley 108 a, upper pulleys 208 and 214,lower pulleys 210 and 212, and second glide pulley 108 b, lowering firstshade 20 a. Referring to FIGS. 11B, 13 and 14, as first shade 20 areaches a completely lowered position such that window openings 24 arecompletely covered by first shade 20 a, master glide 110 and first glide108 approach first disengaging plate 126. As master glide 110 continuesto move in shade-lowering direction L, first latch 116 slides acrossdisengaging plate 126. Bearing 116 b rolls across disengaging plate 126,which moves first latch 116 along its pivoting axis 120 such that arm116 c rotates backward toward plate 114 of master glide 110. As arm 116c rotates toward plate 114, peg 122 of first glide 108 is disengagedfrom indentation 116 a, thereby releasing first glide 108 from masterglide 110.

Referring to FIG. 11B, when first shade 20 a is in a completely loweredposition, second glide 112 is disposed within second glide track 106 inclose proximity to second disengaging plate 128. As master glide 110releases first glide 108, second latch 118 engages peg 124 of secondglide 112. As master glide 110 moves past first disengaging plate 126and second disengaging plate 128, a bearing 118 b of second latch 118contacts and moves across second disengaging plate 128, moving secondlatch 118 along its pivoting axis 120 such that an arm 118 c rotatesbackward toward plate 114 of master glide 110.

A notch 118 a of second latch 118 is defined by arm 118 c on one sideand bearing 118 b on the other side. As bearing 118 rolls off of seconddisengaging plate 128 (as master glide 110 continues to slide inshade-lowering position L), second latch 118 rotates back to its biasedposition, and latches onto peg 124 of second glide 112 such that secondpeg 124 is disposed within indentation 118 a, thereby engaging secondglide 112 with master glide 110. Once second glide 112 is engaged withmaster glide 110, continuing to move master glide 110 and second glide112 in a lowering direction causes second cord 302 to rotate about firstglide pulley 112 a of second glide 112, upper pulleys 308 and 314, lowerpulleys 310 and 312, and second glide pulley 112 b of second glide 112,lowering second shade 20 b.

Referring to FIG. 11C, when second shade 20 b is completely lowered suchthat window openings 24 are completely covered by second shade 20 b,master glide 110 is engaged with second glide 112, both of which aredisposed at the left side of track assembly 100. Moving master glide 110and second glide 112 from a completely lowered position shown in FIG.11C in a shade-raising direction R causes second cord 302 to rotateabout the first glide pulley 112 a, second glide pulley 112 b, upperpulleys 308 and 314, and lower pulleys 310 and 312 of second pulleysystem 300, causing second shade 20 b to be raised. Referring to FIGS.11B, 13 and 14, when second shade 20 b is in a completely raisedposition, and first shade 20 a is still in a completely loweredposition, master glide 110 slides across second disengaging plate 128and first disengaging plate 126. Bearing 118 b of second latch 118 rollsacross second disengaging plate 128, causing arm 118 c to rotate alongits pivoting axis 120 toward plate 114, releasing peg 124 of secondglide from indentation 118 a, thereby disengaging second glide 112 frommaster glide 110.

Bearing 116 b of first latch 116 rolls across first disengaging plate,and arm 116 c rotates toward plate 114 of master glide 110. As firstlatch 116 rolls off of first disengaging plate 126, arm 116 c rotatesback to its biased position, latching onto first peg 122 such that firstpeg 122 is received first indentation 116 a, thereby re-engaging firstglide 108 to master glide 110. Continuing to slide master glide 110 inshade-raising direction R causes first cord 202 to rotate about firstglide pulley 108 a, second glide pulley 108 b, upper pulleys 208 and214, and lower pulleys 210 and 212 to raise first shade 20 a to acompletely raised position shown in FIG. 11A.

Although first latch 116 and second latch 118 have been described hashaving bearings 116 b and 118 b, respectively, to roll acrossdisengaging plates 126 and 128, respectively, it is possible to useother latching mechanisms without bearings. For instance, it is possibleto replace first and second latches 116 and 118 with first and secondmaster glide pegs (not shown) which engage first peg 122 and second peg124, respectively to move first glide 108 and second glide 112. In suchan embodiment, first disengaging plate 126 and second disengaging plate128 are replaced by snap latches (not shown). The first and secondmaster glide pegs engage their respective snap latches as master glide110 slides across the snap latches, allowing engagement anddisengagement of first and second master glide pegs with first peg 122and second peg 124, respectively.

Moreover, first pulley system 200 and second pulley system 300 have beendisclosed such that first cord 202 and second cord 302 connect fromfirst ends 204 and 304, respectively, directly to first glide pulleys108 a and 112 a, respectively. Likewise, first cord 202 and second cord302 have been disclosed to connect from second ends 206 and 306,respectively, directly to second glide pulleys 108 b and 112 b,respectively. However, it should be appreciated by one of ordinary skillin the art that it may be desirable to vary the dual shade 20 movementto handle 44 movement ratio. This would allow the handle slots 40 and 42to be more narrow, and therefore more aesthetically appealing than thewider handle slots 40 and 42 required for ratio movement of 1:1. Forinstance, it may be desirable to vary the pulley systems 200 and 300such that there is a 2:1 ratio, or even a 3:1 ratio of shade 20 movementto handle 44 movement. In such an embodiment, additional pulleys (notshown) may be placed (a) between first ends 204 and 304 and first glidepulleys 108 a and 112 a, respectively, and (b) second ends 206 and 306,and second glide pulley's 108 b and 112 b, respectively. First cord 202and second cord 302 are then looped around the additional pulleys beforeengaging the first glide 108 and second glide 112, which will create ahigher shade 20 movement to handle 44 movement.

Referring to FIG. 12, it should also be appreciated by one of ordinaryskill in the art that handle 44, and therefore master glide 110 can bestopped anywhere along track assembly desired to partially raise orlower first shade 20 a and/or second shade 20 b. In order to accomplisha partially raised or lowered position of first shade 20 b, a firsttension cord 400 is attached at its first end 402 to top margin 28,lateral to the edge of dual shade 20, and extends downward to first rail34. First tension cord 400 enters through first rail 34 along thelateral side thereof, and exits first rail 34 on the opposite lateralside. First tension cord 400 extends downward into bottom margin 30, andaround a first tension pulley 404 disposed within bottom margin 30.First tension cord 400 extends across bottom margin 30, connecting to afirst eyelet 406 a of a tension mechanism 406. As shown, tensionmechanism 406 is an adjustable spring tension mechanism as is commonlyknown to one of ordinary skill in the art. However, any suitablemechanism for adjustably tensioning cords or strings can be used.

First tension cord 400 is attached to a second eyelet 406 b on theopposite side of tension mechanism 406, and extends across bottom margin30 to and around second tension pulley 408. First tension cord 400 thenextends out of bottom margin 30, and re-enters first rail 34 on the sameside as first tension cord's 400 previous entry into first rail 34.First tension cord 400 extends through first rail 34, exiting on thesame side as first tension cord's 400 previous exit from first rail 34.First tension cord 400 extends therefrom upward, and is attached at itssecond end 410 to top margin 28 on the opposite lateral side of dualshade 20 from first end 402. Tensioning first tension cord 400 byadjusting tension mechanism 406 places vertical upward and downwardtension thereon, which keeps first rail 34 in a fixed location whenhandle 44 is stationary.

A second tension cord 500 is attached at its first end 502 to top margin28, lateral to the edge of dual shade 20 on the same side as first end402 of first tension cord 400, and extends downward to second rail 36.Second tension cord 500 enters through second rail 36 along the lateralside thereof, and exits second rail 36 on the opposite lateral side.Second tension cord 500 extends downward into bottom margin 30, andaround a first tension pulley 504 disposed within bottom margin 30.Second tension cord 500 extends across bottom margin 30, connecting to afirst eyelet 506 a of a tension mechanism 506. As shown, tensionmechanism 506 is an adjustable spring tension mechanism as is commonlyknown to one of ordinary skill in the art. However, any suitablemechanism for adjustably tensioning cords or strings can be used.

Second tension cord 500 is attached to a second eyelet 506 b on theopposite side of tension mechanism 506, and extends across bottom margin30 to and around second tension pulley 508. Second tension cord 500 thenextends out of bottom margin 30, and re-enters second rail 36 on thesame side as second tension cord's 500 previous entry into second rail36. Second tension cord 500 extends through second rail 36, exiting onthe same side as second tension cord's 500 previous exit from secondrail 36. Second tension cord 500 extends therefrom upward, and isattached at its second end 510 to top margin 28 on the opposite lateralside of dual shade 20 from first end 502. Tensioning second tension cord500 by adjusting tension mechanism 506 places vertical upward anddownward tension thereon, which keeps second rail 36 in a fixed locationwhen handle 44 is stationary.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specificembodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limitedsense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well asalternative embodiments of the invention will become apparent to personsskilled in the art upon the reference to the description of theinvention. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims willcover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.

1. A mechanism for raising and lowering a dual shade that covers awindow of a vehicle, said mechanism comprising: a track assemblydisposed along a top side of said window, said track assembly comprisinga first glide track, a master track adjacent said first glide track anda second glide track adjacent said master track and opposite said firstglide track; a first glide slidably disposed within said first glidetrack and connected to a bottom portion of said dual shade; a secondglide slidably disposed within said second glide track and connected tosaid dual shade between a first shade and a second shade thereof; amaster glide slidably disposed within said master track and extendingacross said track assembly, said master glide comprising a first latchwhich engages and disengages said first glide, and a second latch whichengages and disengages said second glide; a first disengaging platedisposed between said first glide track and said master track fordisengaging said first latch from said first glide; a second disengagingplate disposed between said master track and said second glide track fordisengaging said second latch from said second glide; and a handleadjacent said master glide to slide said master glide across said trackassembly.
 2. The mechanism for raising and lowering a dual shade asrecited in claim 1 further comprising: a first peg extending from saidfirst glide between said first glide track and said master track,wherein said first peg is engaged and disengaged with said first latchas said master glide slides across said track assembly and said firstdisengaging plate; and a second peg extending from said second glidebetween said master track and said second glide track, wherein saidsecond peg is engaged and disengaged with said second latch as saidmaster glide slides across said track assembly and said seconddisengaging plate.
 3. The mechanism for raising and lowering a dualshade as recited in claim 2 wherein said first disengaging plate isdisposed on said track assembly at a position to (a) disengage saidfirst latch from said first peg once said first shade covers said windowwhen sliding said master glide in a direction to lower said dual shade,and (b) permit said first latch to engage said first peg to raise saidfirst shade when moving said master glide in a direction to raise saiddual shade.
 4. The mechanism for raising and lowering a dual shade asrecited in claim 3 wherein said second disengaging plate is disposed onsaid track assembly as a position to (a) allow said second latch toengage said second peg to lower said second shade when sliding saidmaster glide in said direction to lower said dual shade, and (b)disengage said second latch from said second peg once said second shadeis raised when moving said master glide in said direction to raise saiddual shade.
 5. The mechanism for raising and lowering a dual shade asrecited in claim 4 wherein said dual shade comprises a first rail alonga lower portion of said first shade, and a second rail adjacent andseparating said first shade from said second shade.
 6. The mechanism forraising and lowering a dual shade as recited in claim 5 furthercomprising a first pulley track around a periphery of said window, saidfirst pulley track comprising: at least two glide pulleys disposed onsaid first glide across from one another; a plurality of track pulleysdisposed along said periphery of said window; a first cord having afirst end and a second end fixedly attached to a panel along saidperiphery of said window, and extending therefrom around said glidepulleys and said track pulleys, thereby defining said first pulley trackfor raising and lowering said first shade; and wherein a portion of saidfirst cord is attached to a side of said first rail of said first shade,thereby connecting said first glide to said dual shade.
 7. The mechanismfor raising and lowering a dual shade as recited in claim 6 furthercomprising a second pulley track around said periphery of said window,said second pulley track comprising: at least two glide pulleys disposedon said second glide across from one another; a plurality of trackpulleys disposed along said periphery of said window; a second cordhaving a first end and a second end fixedly attached to a panel alongsaid periphery of said window, and extending therefrom around said glidepulleys and said track pulleys, thereby defining said second pulleytrack for raising and lowering said second shade; and wherein a portionof said second cord is attached to a side of said second rail of saidsecond shade, thereby connecting said second glide to said dual shade.8. The mechanism for raising and lowering a dual shade as recited inclaim 7 further comprising a tension mechanism comprising: a firsttension cord connected to a tension spring along a bottom side of saidwindow, and extending through said first rail, and attached to saidpanel along the sides of the top portion of said dual shade; and asecond tension cord connected to a tension spring along a bottom side ofsaid window, and extending through said second rail, and attaching tosaid panel along the sides of the top portion of said dual shade.
 9. Themechanism for raising and lowering a dual shade as recited in claim 1wherein said first latch and said second latch are spring loaded to bebiased outward from said master glide.
 10. A mechanism for raising andlowering a dual shade covering a window of a vehicle wherein said windowhas an inner panel disposed on the inside of said vehicle, an outerpanel adjacent said inner panel and an outer lens disposed within awindow opening in said outer panel, said mechanism comprising: a trackassembly adjacent an outer surface of said outer panel comprising afirst glide track with a first glide slidably disposed therein, a mastertrack adjacent said first glide track with a master glide slidablydisposed therein, and a second glide track adjacent said master trackand opposite said first glide track with a second glide slidablydisposed therein; a dual shade adjacent an inner surface of said outerpanel comprising a first shade and a second shade adjacently above saidfirst shade; a handle adjacent said master glide and extending through ahandle slot disposed along an upper portion of said outer panel and acorresponding handle slot disposed along an upper portion of said innerpanel; a first cord attached to said first shade and communicating witha first pulley system to connect said first glide to said first shade toraise and lower said first shade; a second cord attached to said secondshade and communicating with a second pulley system to connect saidsecond glide to said second shade to raise and lower said second shade;and a latch mechanism adjacent said master glide comprising a firstlatch which detachably engages said first glide and a second latch whichdetachably engages said second glide to slide said first glide and saidsecond glide along a predefined portion of said track assembly to raiseand lower said dual shade when said handle is moved within said handleslot.
 11. The mechanism for raising and lowering a dual shade as recitedin claim 10 wherein said outer panel comprises a recess along said innersurface of said outer panel below said handle slot, said recess beingdefined by a sidewall having a top margin, bottom margin and two sidemargins; wherein said dual shade is disposed within said recess belowsaid top margin; and wherein said track assembly is disposed above saidtop margin.
 12. The mechanism for raising and lowering a dual shade asrecited in claim 11 further comprising: a first disengaging platedisposed between said first glide track and said master track fordisengaging said first latch from said first glide; a second disengagingplate disposed between said master glide track and said second glidetrack for disengaging said second latch from said second glide;
 13. Themechanism for raising and lowering a dual shade as recited in claim 12further comprising: a first peg extending from said first glide betweensaid first glide track and said master track, wherein said first peg isengaged and disengaged with said first latch as said master glide slidesacross said track assembly and said first disengaging plate; and asecond peg extending from said second glide between said master trackand said second glide track, wherein said second peg is engaged anddisengaged with said second latch as said master glide slides acrosssaid track assembly and said second disengaging plate.
 14. The mechanismfor raising and lowering a dual shade as recited in claim 13 whereinsaid first pulley system comprises: a first glide pulley and a secondglide pulley attached to said first glide; two pulleys disposed on saidouter surface of said outer panel above said top margin, and alignedslightly lateral to said dual shade; and two pulleys disposed on saidbottom margin of said recess and aligned slightly lateral to said dualshade.
 15. The mechanism for raising and lowering a dual shade asrecited in claim 14 wherein said first cord has a first end attached tosaid outer surface of said outer panel above said top margin, andextends therefrom: (a) around said first glide pulley of said firstglide; (b) around one of said pulleys above said top margin, (c) throughsaid top margin and around said pulleys on said bottom margin, (d)through said top margin, (e) around one of said pulleys above said topmargin; and (0 around said second glide pulley of said first glide; andwherein a second end of said first cord is attached to said outersurface of said outer panel.
 16. The mechanism for raising and loweringa dual shade as recited in claim 15 wherein a portion of said first cordis attached to a side of a first rail disposed along the bottom of saidfirst shade.
 17. The mechanism for raising and lowering a dual shade asrecited in claim 16 wherein said second pulley system comprises: a firstglide pulley and a second glide pulley attached to said second glide;two pulleys disposed on said outer surface of said outer panel abovesaid top margin, and aligned slightly lateral to said dual shade; andtwo pulleys disposed on said bottom margin within said recess andaligned slightly lateral to said dual shade.
 18. The mechanism forraising and lowering a dual shade as recited in claim 17 wherein saidsecond cord has a first end attached to said outer surface of said outerpanel above said top margin, and extends therefrom: (a) around saidfirst glide pulley of said second glide; (b) around one of said pulleysof said second pulley system above said top margin, (c) through said topmargin and around said pulleys of said second pulley system on saidbottom margin, (d) through said top margin, (e) around one of saidpulleys of said second pulley system above said top margin; and (f)around said second glide pulley of said second glide; and wherein asecond end of said second cord is attached to said outer surface of saidouter panel.
 19. The mechanism for raising and lowering a dual shade asrecited in claim 18 wherein a portion of said second cord is attached toa side of a second rail disposed between said first shade and saidsecond shade.
 20. The mechanism for raising and lowering a dual shade asrecited in claim 19 wherein said first disengaging plate is disposed onsaid track assembly at a position to (a) disengage said first latch fromsaid first peg once said first shade covers said window when slidingsaid master glide in a direction to lower said dual shade, and (b)permit said first latch to engage said first peg to raise said firstshade when moving said master glide in a direction to raise said dualshade.
 21. The mechanism for raising and lowering a dual shade asrecited in claim 20 wherein said second disengaging plate is disposed onsaid track assembly as a position to (a) allow said second latch toengage said second peg to lower said second shade when sliding saidmaster glide in said direction to lower said dual shade, and (b)disengage said second latch from said second peg once said second shadeis raised when moving said master glide in said direction to raise saiddual shade.
 22. The mechanism for raising and lowering a dual shade asrecited in claim 21 further comprising a tension mechanism comprising: afirst tension cord connected to a tension spring along said bottommargin, and extending through said first rail, and along each side ofsaid dual shade, and attaching to said top margin; and a second tensioncord connected to a tension spring along said bottom margin, andextending through said second rail, and along each side of said dualshade, and attaching to said top margin.
 23. The mechanism for raisingand lowering a dual shade as recited in claim 22 wherein said firstlatch and said second latch are spring loaded to be biased outward fromsaid master glide.
 24. The mechanism for raising and lowering a dualshade as recited in claim 23 further comprising a track assembly coveradjacent said outer surface of said outer panel covering said trackassembly.
 25. The mechanism for raising and lowering a dual shade asrecited in claim 24 wherein said inner panel covers said top margin,side margins and bottom margins of said outer panel from sight, andcomprises an opening for viewing said window opening and said dualshade.